Higher education credits: 5.
Grading scale: UG.
Level: G1
(First level).
Language of instruction: The course might be given in English.
Optional for: ID4, KID3.
Course coordinator: Elin Olander, elin.olander@design.lth.se och Despina Christoforidou, despina.christoforidou@design.lth.se, Industridesign.
Recommended prerequisits: AFO240, AFO245, EXTA05 and AFOA05 or equivalent previous knowledge.
The course might be cancelled if the numer of applicants is less than 8.
The number of participants is limited to 30
Assessment: In order to pass the course and attain the credits, the students must submit approved exercises and an independent project. Furthermore, an active participation in the seminars and exercises and 80% attendance at seminars and lectures are required.
Home page:http://www.ide.lth.se.

AimThe course aims to create an understanding of how different trends appear and how various social phenomena, primarily cultural (eg, subgroups such as environmental activists, Skaters or emos, musical styles such as rap or goth, and others), influence the development of various trends and their impact on different design sectors. Furthermore, the understanding regarding the diffesrences between various trend categories is deepend, e.g. fashion, bussiness specific, mega trends, etc. The theoretical understanding of trends achieved during the course, will on the basis of predetermined topics be transformed into practical work, where students are given the opportunity to develop design solutions inspired by the theme.

Knowledge and understandingFor a passing grade the student must

Be able to identify the underlying mechanisms and social phenomena that create trends and to transform them into design solutions in practice.

Skills and abilitiesFor a passing grade the student must

Analyze a given societal phenomenon by identifying words, images and products that illustrate the phenomenon. Based on the analysis, the student shall create his/hers own understanding and definition of the phenomenon and then transform this knowledge into a design solution / design concept in a product area where the phenomenon is not prominent.

Judgement and approachFor a passing grade the student must

To assess whether a design solution is covered by a specific phenomenon in society or not. To identify the different components of a phenomenon in society.

ContentsThe course is held weekly, once a week, and consists of a short introductory lecture / guest lecture, followed by a seminar or exercise, where the students are expected to participate actively. The results of the exercises are presented before the whole group, where the students are expected to reflect and give each other criticism. The course ends with an independent project where the student's own definition of an op social phenomenon is transformed into a design solution. The project shall be presented orally in class and written in the form of a design report. Each student will prepare to give feed-back to one student colleagues project at the final presentation, where analysis,

LiteratureNaisbitt, John (2006). Mind set! Reset your thinking and see the future. New York: Collins. ISBN: 0-06-113688-3, ISBN: 978-0-06-113688-7.Popcorn, Faith (1992). The popcorn report: Faith Popcorn on the future of your company, your world, your life. New York: HarperBusiness. ISBN: 0-88730-594-6.Articles related to the chosen societal phenomenon will be added.